It’s estimated that one in 10,000 waves is a rogue wave – but while they’ve been the subject of marine folklore for centuries, they were first officially recorded in the 1990s. Since then scientists have been trying to study them.

When was the last rogue wave?

On September 8, 2019, in the Cabot Strait off Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, during Hurricane Dorian, several rogue waves were detected by an off-shore buoy. Five of these rogue waves reached heights of 20 meters (66 feet) with the largest of the waves reaching 30 meters (100 feet).

How far can a rogue wave travel?

The new book uncovers the phenomenon of “rogue waves”, which can peak at well over 30 metres, and are said to sink large ships, smash oil rigs and, like shown in a recent video, cause havoc to luxury cruisers.